chip off

Related to chip off: chip off the old block

chip off

1. To break off of something in small pieces. Ugh, I painted my nails yesterday, and the polish is already starting to chip off.
2. To break a piece of something off. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "chip" and "off." We need to chip off all this old paint before we can do anything with these walls.
See also: chip, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chip off

v.
1. To break away from a surface in small, flat pieces: The cold weather has caused the paint on the bench to chip off.
2. To break off a small, flat piece of something from some whole: She chipped off a small piece of ice from the block. He chipped the hard coating off the pipe with a screwdriver.
See also: chip, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • break (something) to pieces
  • break to pieces
  • break in
  • break into
  • break (something) on (something)
  • break on
  • school's out
  • not break the bank
  • break of day
  • make a break for it
References in periodicals archive
After the Bears chose to field first, their bowlers, starved of match-practice, started to chip off some rust as the visitors reached 147 without loss.
Rain affects Bears again; CRICKET
In the 27th minute, Donovan controlled a short chip off his chest and poked a shot past the keeper.
Donovan's 2 goals lead US into Gold Cup final
Meanwhile, it appears her six-year-old is a chip off the old block when it comes to the sartorial stakes.
NOSH AND BECKS
But it was the quality of his tunes that showed he is a chip off the old block.
HARPER SIMON Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow, May 9
Even better would be for the Huddersfield Town followers to get that chip off their shoulder they have about the Giants and start watching the great sport that is rugby league.
Call for Giant support; Mailbag
FORMER Wigan Warrior and GB Rugby League star Andy Farrell's son Owen is a chip off the old block if his performance in the England U16 warm-up game against Bath U17 Academy side is anything to go by.
Rugby Union: Like father, like son; Junior Rugby
He said: "I took Honey out on my backpack on the dry ski slope only last week and she seemed to be a chip off the old block.
Eddie's little fledgling
Saying she hated all men is available at 20-1, though it's unlikely she has got that particular chip off her shoulder just yet.
What will make Nicky whinge? BIG BROTHER
Louis McNall appears to be a chip off the old block when it comes to scoring goals.
Apollo Doors Gateshead Small-Sided League
HE looks like a chip off the block - but children's favourite Mr Potato Head today crossed over to the "dark fried" as he was remodelled as a Star Wars villain.
It's Darth Tater!
HIS Royal Horsiness Prince Harry is obviously a chip off the old block as he indulges in a touch of pitch and putt on the polo field.
IT'S HARRY PUTTER
Infrared spectra taken by the Deep Space 1 spacecraft in late July suggest that Braille, only 2 kilometers long, is a chip off the old block 4 Vesta, the third largest asteroid in the solar system.
Deep encounter reveals asteroid's ancestry
CORONATION STREET ITV IS Amy a chip off the old block?
CORONATION STREET ITV IS Amy [...]
Hatton (left) said: "He's a chip off the old block - very aggressive.
Hatton so proud to train Benn
HE looks like a chip off the block, but children's favourite Mr Potato Head has crossed over to the ``dark fried'' - remodelled as a Star Wars villain.
Mr Potato Head is now Darth Tater